Maynard basketball in search of depth

Maynard High’s basketball team will ring in the New Year a couple weeks early.

On Dec. 15, during the Tigers’ season- and home-opening game against Littleton, members of the Division 4 state boys championship team will receive commemorative rings.

Maynard will also take the moment to recognize Brian Donahue, who passed away in September. He was part of the Maynard sports scene and for 25 years kept the Tigers scorebook for basketball. Donahue’s referee jersey will be draped over a chair at the scorer’s table for the rest of the season.

"We’ll recognize the team once – only once," Maynard coach Paul Howes said.

Maynard finds itself in the midst of a glorious run of basketball success, including back-to-back appearances in the state final, winning last season.

The Tigers have also won 49 consecutive Mid-Wach conference games, their last league loss coming against Littleton in January of 2013.

However, Howes doesn’t want to hear about it, despite his declaration moments after clinching the title that he would sleep with his first state championship trophy.

"I did, it was a six-month party," he said. "But ask the players. In two weeks of practice two words have not come out of my mouth about it. It was a blast, but not the goal. It wasn’t the goal last year."

Howes’ goal this season is to build depth.

While Howes has three starters returning, including fourth-year starter at point guard Corey Olivier, the Tigers need to create a deeper rotation.

Olivier, post Chris Bastien and swing player Tommy Smith scored about 37 points a game last season.